Cup package and carton therefor



Dec. 7, 1943. K. T. BUTTERY CUP PACKAGE AND CARTON THEREFOR Filed Feb. 21942 2 Sheets-Sheet l ec. 7, 1943., K. T. BuTTElY 2,335,914

CUP PACKAGE AND CARTON THEREFOR Filed Feb. 2 1942' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

2 M 9&5

Patented Dec. 7, 1943 UNi'i'ED SATES PATENT QFFEQ 6UP PACKAGE AND CARTONTHEREFOR Kenneth T. Buttery, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignor to SutherlandPaper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich a corporation of Michigan ApplicationFebruary 2, 1942, Serial No. 429,256

11 Qlaims. (Cl. 206-56) This invention relates to improvements in cuppackages and cartons therefor.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a carton for a plurality of nested paper cups fromwhich the cups may be withdrawn one by one, the carton being providedwith a closure which permits the assembling of a plurality of similarcartons into a shipping package or into a compact form for storage.

Second, to provide a package unit for nested paper cups or receptacleswell adapted as a retail package and which is very economical,effectively retains the cups for handling while permitting theireasywithdrawal one by one.

Third, to provide a package unit for paper receptacles which permits theconvenient handling of a plurality of cups, at the same time one inwhich the rim portions are protected until the cups are withdrawn fromthe carton.

Fourth, to provide a structure having these advantages in which a stackof nested cups may be quickly inserted in the carton, the carton closedand a plurality of similar cartons assembled with one carton of theassembled group in end to end relation with the bottom container of onecarton nested within a carton on which it is superimposed.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a package unit of paper cups embodyingthe features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partially in vertical section on a linecorresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 3 of the package unit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a closed carton showing the normal relation ofthe closure parts after a series of the package units has been assembledin a stack.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation illustrating the assembled or stackedrelation of a plurality of the package units or filled cartons.

Fig. 5 is a side view of the carton of Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive with thetop closure flaps in open position.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation partially in section and broken away of aslightly modified form br embodiment of my invention and illustratingthe manner of withdrawing the bottom cup.

Fig. '7 is an elevational view partially in section and partially brokenaway showing a modified form of means for releasably retaining the cupswithin the carton.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view partially in section and partially brokenaway showing a further modification in the cup retaining means.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation partially in section showing amodified form of detent or retaining means for the cups.

Fig. 10 is a. further embodiment or modification of the cup retainingmeans in which the wall of the carton is provided with a plurality ofinternal annular beads and internal retaining lips in cooperation withthe bottom bead.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in vertical section online II H of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view partially in section of another form ofcup retaining means.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown my invention as embodied instructures designed for packaging paper cups, but it will be understoodthat the term cups is used in this specification and in the accompanyingclaims a a matter of convenience and the particular design or purpose ofthe cup or container is unimportant with the exception that myimprovements are especially adapted for tapered cups or containers thatis, cups or containers that may be nested.

In the accompanying drawings, the paper cup I is of the tapered typehaving a collapsible handle 2 and provided with a bead-like rim 3. Itwill be understood, however, that the particular details of the cup formno part of this invention except that the full advantages of myinvention are only attained when the cups are of a character whichpermits their compact nesting or arrangement in stacks.

In the structure illustrated, the cartons d are designed to receive sixcups, this being a convenient package for retail trade and also forhandling in the various situations where paper cups are used ordesirable.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. l, the carton comprises thedownwardly tapered tubular body 5 of proper diameter to receive thestack of nested cups-in this case six, the diameter at the lower endbeing such as to retainingly a plurality of segmental closure flaps 6designed to be folded inwardly to closure position with one edge of eachclosure flap overlapping the edge of an adjacent closure flap-see Fig.1.

In practice, the cartons are formed with the closure flaps upstanding asshown in Fig. 5, and a flexing score or hinge line I formed at the unionof the flaps with the side wall of the body 5 of the carton. After thestack of nested cups have been inserted from the open top of the carton,these flaps 8 are folded inwardly successively into their overlappingclosure relation and it is found in practice that this operation may bevery rapidly performed by hand although mechanical means might beprovided if desired.

At their inner ends, the closure flaps preferably have diagonallydisposed weakened lines 8-that is, the weakened lines 8 are disposeddiagonally relative to their overlapping edges and this is found tofacilitate their collapsing inwardly for purposes which will be pointedout.

The portions 9 of the closure flaps overlie the rim of the top cup ofthe stack and there may be provided a second flexing line or zone I atthe inner side of these portions 9 although the mere act of folding theflaps inwardly and compressing them into an inwardly inclined relationwhich prevents their springing out from their closure position tends tobreak the stock at this point. The parts 8 are preferably provided withprojecting portions II at one end which overlap the adjacent portion 9.

with these closure flaps folded inwardly providing a' closed assembledpackage unit, a series of package units may be assembled in a stack asshown in Fig. 4, the projecting bottom cups of one package unit beingthrust into the top of a similarly filled package unit which depressesthe closure flaps within the top cup of the stack. However, when one ofthe units is withdrawn from another, the closure flaps through theirinherent resiliency spring up to closed position so that a plurality ofthe package units may be stacked together for shipping with the bottomof one unit resting upon the top of the unit upon which it issuperimposed as shown in Fig. 4 and the units separated as desired forretail purposes or for use or convenience in transportation.

As stated, in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, thecartons are tapered and when properly tapered the cups are effectivelyretained. However, if desired, retaining means may be formed in the wallor body of the carton.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the retaining means is in the form ofan annular internal bead i 2 with which the lower cup engages.

In Fig. 10, there is a' vertically spaced series of these internal beadsand they serve the additional function of making the wall of the cartonmore rigid. If desired, the engaging means may be further amplified byslitting the wall at l3 and turning in the tongue-like portions l5.

In Fig. '7, the retaining members l6 are formed by providing slits I!having upwardly inclined ends I'll and striking in the annularly spacedportions l8. This provides cam-like portions at the ends of thestruck-in detent Hi.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the retaining means is provided inthe form of slots 19.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12, the lower end of the body is turnedinwardly providing an annular ledge-like portion 20, while in Fig. 9slits 2| are provided in spaced relation to the bottom of the carton andportions 22 struck inwardly to provide the retaining means.

asses In all of these figures, the primary function of the retainingmeans is to insure that the cups shall be releasably retained.

I have not illustrated my improvements in adaptations for various typesof cups or containers as it is believed that these disclosures willenable those skilled in the art to embody my invention according to theparticular design or shape of the cup or container. It will beunderstood that the scope of the invention is pointed out in theappended claims and that, as stated, the term "cups is herein used ascomprehending containers.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups providedwith rims, and a tubular carton open at the bottom receiving andembracing the rims of the nested cups with the lower cup of the stackprojecting from the lower end of the carton permitting grasping thereoffor withdrawal, said carton having a top closure comprising a pluralityof segmental closure flaps hingedly connected to the top edge of thecarton and foldable inwardly over the stack of cups with onelongitudinal edge of each closure flap overlapping the edge of anadjacent closure flap, said closure flaps having diagonally disposedflexing lines of perforations at the inner ends of their overlappingedges facilitating their being collapsed inwardly, said closure flapsalso having transverse flexing zones at the inside of the rimoverlapping portions thereof, and being depressible within the top cupof the stack within the carton to receive the projecting bottom cup of asuperimposed package unit whereby a plurality of package units may beassembled in stacked relation with the lower edge of the carton of oneunit resting upon the top of the carton of the adjacent lower unit.

2. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups providedwith rims, a tubular carton open at the bottom receiving and embracingthe rims of the nested cups with the lower cup of the stack projectingfrom the lower end of the carton permitting grasping thereof forwithdrawal, said carton having a top closure comprising a plurality ofsegmental closure flaps hingedly connected to the top edge of the cartonand foldable inwardly over the stack of cups with one longitudinal edgeof each closure flap overlapping the edge of an adjacent closure flapand being depressible within the top cup of the stack within the cartonto receive the projecting bottom cup of a superimposed package unitwhereby a plurality of package units may be assembled in stackedrelation with the lower edge of the carton of one unit resting upon thetop of the carton of the adjacent lower unit.

3. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups providedwith rims, a tubular carton open at the bottom receiving and embracingthe rims of the nested cups with the lower cup of the stack projectingfrom the lower end of the carton permitting grasping thereof forwithdrawal, the wall of the carton being provided with an internalannular rib for releasable retaining engagement with the rim of thelower cup of the stack, said carton having a top closure comprising aplurality of segmental closure flaps hingedly connected to the top edgeof the carton and foldable inwardly over the stack of cups intooverlapping relation and depressible within the top cup of the stackwithin the carton to receive the projecting bottom cup of a superimposedpackage unit whereby a plurality of package units may be assembled instacked relation with the lower edge of the carton of one unit restingupon the top of the carton of the adjacent lower unit.

4. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups, and atubular carton open at the bottom receiving and removably retaining thestack of cups with the lower cup of the stack projecting from the lowerend of the carton permitting grasping for withdrawal, said carton havinga top closure comprising a plurality of segmental closure flaps hingedlyconnected to the top edge of the carton and foldable inwardly over thestack of cups with one longitudinal edge of each closure flapoverlapping the edge of an adjacent closure flap, said closure flapshaving diagonally disposed flexing lines of perforations at the innerends of their overlapping edges facilitating their being collapsedinwardly, said closure flaps being depressible within the top cup of thestack within the carton to receive the projecting bottom cup of asuperimposed package unit whereby a plurality of package units may beassembled in stacked relation with the. lower edge of one unit restingupon the top of the carton of the adjacent lower unit.

5. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups, and atubular carton open at the bottom receiving and removably retaining thestack of cups with the lower cup of the stack projecting from thelowerend of thecarton permitting grasping for withdrawal, said cartonhaving a top closure comprising a plurality of segmental closure flapshingedly connected to the top edge of the carton and foldable inwardlyover the stack of cups with one longitudinal edge of each closure flapoverlapping the edge of an adjacent closure flap, said closure flapsbeing depressible within the top cup of the stack within the carton toreceive the projecting bottom cup of a superimposed package unit wherebya plurality of package units may be assembled in stacked relation withthe lower edge of one unit resting upon the top of the carton of theadjacent lower unit.

6. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups, and adownwardly tapered tubular carton open at the bottom receiving andremovably retaining the stack of cups with the lower cup of the stackprojecting from the lower end of the carton permitting graspingfor-withdrawal, said carton having a top closure comprising a pluralityof closure flaps separately hingedly connected to the top edge of thecarton-and ioldable inwardly over the stack of cups into overlappingclosure forming relation, said closure flaps being yieldably collapsiblewithin the top cup of the stack within the carton when the projectingbottom cup of a similar superimposed package unit is inserted thereinand act to return to closure position when the units are separated.-

7. A package unit comprising a plurality of tapered nested cups, and atubular carton open at the bottom receiving the stack of cups with thelower cup of the stack projecting from the lower end of the cartonpermitting grasping for withdrawal and having internal cup retainingmeans, said carton having a top closure comprising a plurality ofclosure flaps separately hingedo ly connected to the top edge 01 thecarton and foldable inwardly over the stack of cups into overlappingclosure forming relation for sanitary protection of the interior of saidcups, said closure flaps being yieldably collapsible within the top cupof the stack within the carton when the projecting bottom cup of asimilar superimposed package unit is inserted therein and act to returnto closure position when the units are separated.

8. A carton for a stack of tapered nested cups provided with rimscomprising a tubular body open at the bottom and adapted to receive andremovably retain a stack of nested cups with the lower cup of the stackprojecting from the lower end of the carton permitting grasping forwithdrawal, said carton having a top closure comprising a plurality ofsegmental closure flaps separately hingedly and resiliently connected tothe top of the closure and foldable inwardly over the stack of cups andinto edge overlapping relation to each other, said closure flaps beingdepressible within the top cup of a stack to permit the insertion of theprojecting bottom cup of a similar superimposed carton into the top ofthe carton whereby a plurality of cartons with stacks of nested cupstherein may be assembled in stacked relation with the lower edge of onecarton resting upon the top of the carton on which it is superimposed.

9. A carton for a stack of tapered nested cups, comprisinga tubular bodyopen at the bottom receiving and removably retaining astack of cups withthe lower cup of the stack projecting from the lower end of the cartonpermitting grasping for withdrawal, said carton having a top closurecomprising a plurality of closure flaps separately hingedly andresiliently connected to the top edge of the carton and foldableinwardly over a stack of cups into closure forming relation andcollapsible within the top cup of a stack within the carton when theprojecting bottom cup of a similar filled superimposed carton isinserted therein, whereby a plurality of filled siniilar cartons may beassembled in stacked relation and are friotionally retained in suchrelation.

10. A carton for a stack of tapered nested cups provided with rims,comprising a tubular downwardly tapered body open at the bottom adaptedto receive and embrace a stack of nested cups with the lower cup of thestack projecting from the lower end of the carton permitting graspingthereof for withdrawal, said carton having a top closure comprising aplurality of segmental closure flaps ioldable inwardly over the stack01' cups into overlapping relation and yieldably depressible within thetop cup of the stack therein.

11. A carton for nested cups comprising a downwardly tapered tubularcarton open at the bottom receiving and removably retaining the stack ofcups with the lower cup of the stack projecting from the lower end ofthe carton permitting grasping for withdrawal, said carton having a topclosure comprising a plurality of closure flaps collapsible inwardlyover the stack of cups into closure forming relation and yieldablycollapsible within the top cup 01 the stack within the carton when theprojecting bottom cup of a similar filled carton is inserted therein.said closure flaps returning to closure position when the inserted cupis withdrawn.

